Love Story: Erich Segal

I first came to know about Erich Segal's Love Story from a friend of mine, who was really crazy about this book. I wondered whats so unique about this book which differentiates it from other love stories!. Well, the opening statement itself had answer for all my queries:

" What can you say about a twenty-five-year-old girl who died? That she was beautiful and brilliant. That she loved Mozart and Bach. The Beatles. And me.”

This beautiful introduction says all about the plot; that it's a wonderful romantic story,yet a tragic one.

The story revolves around Oliver Barret IV, a rich Harward guy and Jennifer Cavilleri, a middle class music student. Opposites in nearly every way Ollie and Jenny, fell in love and built up a sweet life of their own, against all odds. However destiny had some other plans for them. One day, out of the blue, came death and separates them forever...

The plot is simple and is not the one that we haven’t heard before. But the way Erich Segal narrates it, makes Love Story to be the novel that defined a generation then..and now.

The author has really succeeded in making readers live with Oliver & Jenny, feeling their love and pain. There was a lump in my throat while reading the final pages. I was trying hard to hold back my tears, but failed very badly. Once I finished reading, the signature line of the story, spoken twice in the story by Oliver & Jenny persisted in my heart with an unknown pain.

"Love means, never having to say you are sorry".

I bet, once you start reading, you wont be able to let the book down until you turn the last page. You would be astonished seeing yourself full of tears.

Grab a copy of this book if you are in love, or was in love, or hopes to be in love.
:)

~aThi@~

How to share your mobile internet connection with PC

Now-a-days everybody uses their smart phones to get into the wide world of cyberspace. However, sometimes, we just feel to browse from our laptop/PC, in the big screen. Earlier, the mobile phones came with the PC suite for internet/data sharing, which needs to be installed on laptop/ PC.  But now, the android phones are by default equipped with the features for tethering. 

Tethering refers to connecting one device to another. In the context of mobile phones or Internet tablets, tethering allows sharing the Internet connection of the phone or tablet with other devices such as laptops. It could be done in two ways:

1. USB tethering
2. Bluetooth tethering

USB TETHERING

I. Connect your mobile phone with the laptop using USB cable. Ignore the window that pop ups with the options for USB storage/ USB debugging.

II. Go to Settings >> All Settings >> More Wireless (Wireless & Networks).

III. Under Wireless & Networks section click the option Tethering And Portable Hotspot.  

IV. Select the USB tethering option.

Now you will be able to browse internet from your laptop. You could disconnect anytime by deselecting the USB tethering option or by disconnecting the cable.

BLUETOOTH TETHERING

In order to enable Bluetooth tethering, first and foremost you have to set up wireless hotspot.

I. Go to Settings >> All Settings >> More Wireless (Wireless & Networks) >> Tethering And Portable Hotspot.

II. By default the WLAN hotspot will be disabled; enable it.

III. For secure connection and to prevent unauthorized access we shall edit the basic settings.

Click on WLAN hotspot >> Set up WLAN hotspot. Here you have to provide the following details:

a) Network SSID:  Configure the name of your portable mobile device.

b) Security: It provides two protocols for securing your network. You can select either WPA PSK or  WPA2 PSK.

c) Password: A secret key of at least 8 characters strength.

d) Maximum connections: You can specify the number of devices that could simultaneously use your mobile internet connection.

Finally it’s done. Now your mobile device will be listed in the available network connections in your laptop and you can connect using your password.

Enjoy browsing from your laptop using your cell phones data plan. :)

Mazhavillukal Pookkumbol (മഴവില്ലുകള്‍ പൂക്കുമ്പോള്‍)

കാറ്റിന്‍റെ കരിമ്പടം പുതച്ചു,
മഴ വളവുകള്‍ താണ്ടി,
അവള്‍ നടന്നു;
ആകാശത്തിന്‍റെ അതിരില്‍,
മഴവില്ലുകള്‍ പൂക്കുന്നിടം തേടി...

~aThI@~

..::..Eleven Minutes..::..

Ever since I have read 'The Alchemist', I am an ardent fan of Paulo Coelho. So when I came to know that a friend of mine is having the book Eleven Minutes, I was dying to read it. But to my surprise,she handed me the book in such a secret manner, just like we were exchanging drugs or weapons. However going through the summary at the back page, I understood why she behaved in such a strange manner.

Eleven minutes is all about a Brazilian girl Maria, the protagonist. At a very young age, she experienced the bitterness of love and concluded that love gives only pain and frustration. Given a chance, she moved on to Switzerland, for she had dreams of finding fame and fortune. She started her career as a dancer in night club, but finally ends up as a prostitute, as she finds it as an easy way of money making. Soon she grew into a professional prostitute and finds that the amount of time spent actually having sex is about eleven minutes. Her world revolved around something that took eleven minutes!

Maria's life turns into a different path when she meets Ralf, a young painter who sees her "inner light". Soon she realizes the true love, with no possessiveness for Ralf. Finally she had to decide whether to continue with her work or live with Ralf, the love she was always looking for.

'Eleven Minutes' is quite different from the so-called Paulo Coelho formula of writing. The author itself says that the subject is harsh, difficult and shocking. He has explored the soul of a prostitute, her sexual encounters and her professional & personal frustrations.

Coelho used the character of Maria to express the sensitive matter ‘sacred nature of sex and love’ in its best philosophical way. I do think that it needs courage to explore such a subject, as the author had even made the character Maria to experience the pleasures of sadomasochism.

I guess Eleven minutes will be digestible only to those who just don't raise their eyebrows on hearing the theme and are ready to think out of the standardized framework. For those who are ready to move out of the box, I wish a wonderful time reading this book.

I Heard You Been Singing

Well I heard you been singing, well I was what I am,
Well I never tried to change you, honey I'm your biggest fan.
And I loved you back then,
But I don't recognize you now.
Yeah in fact we're almost strangers and I don't know how;
But I've been looking through slow, slow glass.
Yeah I've been looking though slow, slow glass.

> Noah And The Whale

A Short note:

The original  illustration of this poster was done by Mr.Vimal Chandran, I just tried my own version,inspired by his work.

posted from Bloggeroid

The Alchemist

The Brazilian writer Paulo Coelho is well known for his philosophical and spiritual writings. The Alchemist is his first book in my collection. Though I have read many of his books, none could catch my heart like 'The Alchemist'.

The story is all about Santiago,an Andalusian shepherd boy who sees a recurring dream about a treasure under the pyramids of Egypt. Trying to interpret the dream he meets an old man Melchizedek,who claims to be the king of Salem. He sets the boy off on his journey to discover his personal legend. The boy meets the title character of this story the alchemist from the oasis,who teaches him about the importance of listening to ones heart. Finally Santiago realizes that the treasure is not under the pyramids but it's buried under the abandoned church in Spain,from where he had seen the dream.

The story teaches us that every treasure lies in our own heart and there is no need to search for it in the outside world.

There are many inspirational quotes throughout the story, out of which my favorite is " If you wish something truly,the whole universe conspires in your favor": said by the old king. However I found the words of alchemist :" Don't think about what you have left behind, everything is written in the soul of the world and there it will stay forever" as an apt message for everyone, who regrets about the past.

The author really succeeded in grabbing the attention of the readers throughout the story. Unlike his other books, boredom was something that I didn't experience at all. I suggest everyone to read this wonderful book as it inspires us to follow our dream.

~aThi@~

How To Obtain Duplicate Mark list (Btech) From Cochin University Of Science And Technology (CUSAT)

We all believe that Google have answers for all our queries; so did I. But when I searched to know the procedures for obtaining a duplicate mark list (B.tech v semester) I was really confused. There were lots of threads with the procedures in other universities. But, none of the sites could give an exact answer of the procedures in CUSAT university.

When I inquired in the office, certain officials scared me telling that I should notify this in the newspapers and an affidavit should be produced.  Since I was in an urgent need for the certificate these advises were more than enough to put me under huge pressure. Fortunately,I was able to figure out the exact procedures with the help of my friends.

So,I thought of writing a blog post about the procedures, which might be useful to the needy.

Disclaimer: I have tried to be as accurate with the details, but there could be discrepancies as things change and memories fade. As with all things, rely on your personal judgment. I suggest you to go to the EC's (Examination Controller) office and cross check the procedure before proceeding. The office assistants are really helpful. If you do find something which could be corrected, let me know.

1. First and foremost, you have to write an application addressing the controller of examination, CUSAT, clearly specifying your register number and the semester for which duplicate certificate needs to
be issued. Get it verified and signed by the principal of your college.

2. Once forwarded by the principal, you can go to the CUSAT university,administrative block.

The office of the controller of examination (EC) as well as the sections of each engineering college is in the second floor. To know in which section your college belongs,you can inquire the staff in the controllers office.

The K & L sections represents college of engineering Vadakara & college of engineering Thalassery.

3: Now go to your college section. The SO (section officer), should check and verify that the certificate was already issued and is lost irrecoverably. 

4. Once it is verified,go to the cash section in the ground floor. Give your application there and you will be asked to remit RS.500 as fees.

(Unless the request gets signed by the SO, you won't be able to remit the fees.)

5. Finally go again to the Examination controllers office and submit the request and the fee receipt there. (You can retain a copy of bill with you.)

In case of urgency,with the permission of EC, you can submit the form directly in the section office. The office assistant in the EC's office will stamp your request, which can be then submitted in the respective section of your college.

Now the university will process your request and the certificate will be sent to your college.

NB:
From 1:00pm to 2:00 pm its lunch break time. At that time you wont be allowed to enter the administrative block. Also cash counter will be open only till 3:00 pm, so make sure to reach there on time.

The Great Silence: Bhudha

"When a man knows the solitude of silence and feels the joy of quietness,

he is then free from fear and he feels the joy of dharma".

--Bhudha--